Remember the days when everyone smoked? On television, in restaurants, in their offices - on airplanes! That was the place that made the least sense: hundreds of people sitting in a two by two square space, jammed together like canned fish, with NO available outdoor air - inhaling and exhaling toxic chemicals. As a child on a plane, that was the most horrific experience, of all time.

Of course, in those days, no one KNEW cigarette smoke was toxic; well, at least not beyond the shadow of a doubt. Many were still in denial. Arguments were still taking place. The tobacco companies maintained that there was no harm in smoking a cigarette... but, we soon found out the truth. Suppressed documents and all.

Now, in some places, one can't even walk down the street while having a cigarette. Many public places are off limits when it comes to individuals smoking - there are even rumbles about banning smoking in one's backyard!

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Well, move over tobacco companies, make room for Monsanto; they seem to have taken a page out of your book - who are we kidding - they've plagiarized you!

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A rash of deaths are taking place as well as individuals using this pesticide regularly - ya know, like farmers - being diagnosed with lymphoma.

In a 2015 report, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that glyphosate, the main ingredient in global seed and chemical producer Monsanto’s weed killer Roundup, is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” In particular, glyphosate has been linked to various forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, b-cell lymphoma, and other cancers. The report based its claim on “limited evidence” drawn from studies on humans and experimental animals. These studies suggest glyphosate causes significant chromosomal damage and may be linked to some cancers. As of  Daphne Stanford's article: "What You Need to Know About the Monsanto Roundup Controversy," dated September 14, 2017, more than 1000 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients across the U.S. have filed legal claims against Monsanto, and those numbers continue to grow.

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Of course, Monsanto denies the IARC's claims, putting forth "evidence" of legitimate studies claiming glyphosate (found in their Roundup) is safe. Of course, the question is, who wrote those studies. Lawyers compiling evidence against this company have dug up documents associating these authors as Monsanto staff or affiliates. Let's also remember the buried memos detailing specific wordage that would allow for truth evasion. Oh, as well as evidence that a senior official with the EPA, yes, the Environmental Protection Agency, actually prevented the United States Department of Health and Human Services from reviewing the product. All this so Monsanto can avoid labeling their product ROUNDUP with a warning.

Really?

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We have all heard this story before. So many times related to so many corporations placing profit margins above consumer safety. Another drama unfolding... but we know by now that chemicals, sugary treats, processed foods are BAD for our bodies, don't we? Yet, folks continue to smoke, inhale sticky creamy sugars, consume processed and fast foods because it is hard not to do so.

How does one function in this world of consumerism while keeping one's body clean?

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Here is one way, start by removing the blinders: read labels, understand to what your are exposing yourself (and your family?)  then continue with one thing - ONE chemical; one type of sugar "treat;" one processed item you will remove from your life. Or, consider one vitamin, exercise routine, vegetable, water, fruit you will incorporate into your life. Just one - at first - then add another and another and another - in YOUR time frame.

Be easy with yourself if making this change is overwhelming. This is about only YOUR schedule, and what works for you.

While you make change, remember, it ain't easy, but treating our bodies better, is a doable reality.